Grading the AFC Draft

Grading the draft

Which AFC team came out on top in the 2014 NFL Draft?

The Associated PressShare

B

AFC WEST - BRONCOS

John Elway began with three Big Ten selections--gulp. CB Bradley Roby’s a physical marvel who needs coaching. To pay off the three picks Elway invested in him, Cody Latimore must become Eric Decker II. He just might.

K.C. AlfredShare

B

AFC WEST - CHARGERS

Tom Telesco knows what he wants, and it looks like he got it here. Among his six picks, there’s a lot of proven productivity, football IQ, and gusto, while the character risks appear minimal. Again, he dealt his fourth-rounder.

The Associated PressShare

C

AFC WEST - CHIEFS

Dee Ford is a promising, if jumpy pass-rusher. Soph GM John Dorsey went for length at CB, and hired a Montreal med student who plays tackle. Their 2nd-round chip went to the 49ers, via the Alex Smith trade.

AFC NORTH - BROWNS

Was rookie GM Ray Farmer right to pass on WR Sammy Watkins? The reward: CB Justin Gilbert and Buffalo’s 1 and 4 in ’15. Not taking a WR, Farmer trusted his draft board. Champs do the same. Even Johnny Football, however, can’t complete passes to himself.

AFC NORTH - RAVENS

The Ravens returned to their roots and invested in nasty, physical defenders. Linebacker C.J. Mosley was Nick Saban’s quarterback on defense, and DT Timmy Jernigan has NFL strength although he’s only 21.

The Associated PressShare

B−

AFC NORTH - STEELERS

Coach Dick LeBeau should be good for LB Ryan Shazier, who runs like a safety but took more false steps than his draft slot reflected. DE Stephon Tuitt is very strong and still only 20. He was too heavy last year.

The Associated PressShare

C−

AFC EAST - BILLS

GM Doug Whaley, who drafted quarterback EJ Manuel 16th last year, invested two 1s and a 4 in Sammy Watkins. At that price, Watkins needs to be great. T Cyrus Kouandijo’s arthritic knee received much scrutiny.

The Associated PressShare

C−

AFC EAST - DOLPHINS

Rookie GM Dennis Hickey inherited a broken offensive line and a messy clubhouse culture. The attempted repairs may have carried an opportunity cost.

AFC EAST - PATRIOTS

Defensive lineman Dominique Easley is so explosive and slippery, he may help as a rookie. The downside: last fall, he suffered his second ACL tear in 22 months. Tom Brady will be 37 in August. Is Jimmy Garopollo his successor?

AFC SOUTH - JAGUARS

If Blake Bortles proves to be a franchise QB, taking him so high won’t matter. That he said he’d be OK with sitting as a rookie doesn’t shout “franchise QB.” Pre-knee injury, WR Marquise Lee’s play whispered of Lynn Swann.

The Associated PressShare

B

AFC SOUTH - TITANS

T Taylor Lewan wasn’t needed for this year but has the agility and length to protect a QB’s blind side. Bishop Sankey can be a three-down back for Ken Whisenhunt.

The Associated PressShare

A−

AFC SOUTH - TEXANS

The move from end to OLB can be dicey, but Jadeveon Clowney stands to benefit from J.J. Watt’s rush and NFL coaching. Bill Polian rated G-T Xavier Su’a Filo the draft’s best interior blocker. In ’12, NT Louis Nix flashed first-round talent.